Italy wants France sanctioned for 'creating poverty in Africa'

Maio’s remarks came hours after France summoned the Italian ambassador
to Paris to protest the original assertions made over the weekend.
Italy’s accusations

Speaking on Saturday in central Italy, Di Maio attacked France’s Africa
policy, the latest chapter in a war of words between Rome and Paris
since the anti-establishment 5-Star-Movement and far-right League won
power last year.

If we have people who are leaving Africa now it’s because some
European countries, and France in particular, have never stopped
colonizing Africa.

“If we have people who are leaving Africa now it’s because some European
countries, and France in particular, have never stopped colonizing
Africa,” said Di Maio, who leads the 5-Star.

“If France didn’t have its African colonies, because that’s what they
should be called, it would be the 15th largest world economy. Instead
it’s among the first, exactly because of what it is doing in Africa.”

Di Maio added that France was manipulating the economies of 14 African
countries that use the CFA franc — a colonial-era currency which is
underpinned by the French Treasury.

“France is one of those countries that by printing money for 14 African
states prevents their economic development and contributes to the fact
that the refugees leave and then die in the sea or arrive on our
coasts,” he said.
France reacts

Ambassador Teresa Castaldo was summoned on Monday afternoon by the chief
of staff of European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau, the French
diplomatic source said.
“It’s not the first time the Italian authorities have made unacceptable
and aggressive comments,” the French diplomatic source added.

France argues that the CFA franc has brought welcome monetary stability
to the countries that use it, but French President Emmanuel Macron said
in 2017 that it was up to African governments to decide what to do with
the currency.
Italy wants France sanctioned

The new Italian government has frequently clashed with Paris, be it on
immigration or policy in Libya, eager to mark the difference between
itself and the previous center-left administration which had good ties
with the French authorities.

“I’ve stopped being a hypocrite talking only about the effects of
immigration and it’s time to talk about the causes,” Di Maio said at the
weekend.

“The EU should sanction all those countries like France that are
impoverishing African countries and are causing those people to leave.”https://www.geezgo.com/sps/52691